Container with integral hinged connection

ABSTRACT

A clamshell container with a hinged connection is provided. The clamshell container includes a base portion and a cover portion that rotates about a hinge axis relative to the base portion into a closed position. The base portion and cover portion each include a sidewall, a perimeter rim and a perimeter flange. The hinged connection is located along the base perimeter rim and flange and the cover perimeter rim and flange. The hinged connection includes one or more indented first structural elements formed into the cover perimeter flange and one ore more raised second structural elements extending from the base perimeter flange. The first and second structural elements are positionally aligned so that when the cover portion is rotated into the closed position, the second structural elements are received within the first structural elements. The structural elements increase rigidity of the hinged connection and limit potential deformation and fracture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 63/137,631, filed on Jan. 14, 2021, to Keegan Yang et al.,entitled “Container with Integral Hinged Connection,” currently pending,the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Clamshell-style cartons and containers are commonly used for holding andserving food items as well as other types of contents. These cartons areoften configured with a base portion and a cover portion connectedtogether by a hinged connection that allows the cover portion to rotatebetween open and closed configurations relative to the base portion. Thehinged connection of these cartons is typically configured as a “livinghinge” formed by a thin strip of material connecting the base portionand the cover portion together. This thin strip of material is easilybendable and allows for closure between the base and cover portions.

Traditionally, such clamshell-style cartons and containers have beenmade of a single material consisting of expanded polystyrene or solidplastic. Additionally, such clamshell-style cartons have begun to beconstructed from a molded fiber or pulp material, which is moreenvironmentally-friendly than expanded polystyrene and plastic. However,there are operational considerations for molded fiber and pulp thatgenerally limit the features that can be incorporated into the hingedconnection as compared to the traditional expanded polystyrene or solidplastic. In particular, because molded fiber requires the use of a wetslurry of fiber material that is pressed into the shape of the cartonthrough the use of material dies, it can be difficult to form curvedportions and transition sections between different components of thecarton, particularly those curved portions and transition sectionshaving tight radiuses. As a result, cracks, fractures, and weak pointscan easily form along the perimeter rim and flange of the cover and baseportions of the finished carton product, as well as the hingedconnection that connects the cover and base portions together.

These fracture points and weak points can affect the bending of thehinged connection and prevent proper closing of the carton. When thecover portion is rotated relative to the base portion, bending can occuralong the fracture points and weak points existing along the base andcover perimeter flange and cause the carton to bend and deform atregions other than the desired hinge line. As a result, the coverportion does not properly align with the base portion and can make itdifficult to properly position the container in a closed configuration.This can be further impacted if the finished carton product undergoeseven slight distortion or changes in shape as the molded fiber driesafter being formed.

Accordingly, a need exists for an improved hinged connection and cartondesign that can allow the carton to be constructed from a molded fiberor pulp material while still allowing for proper bending along the hingeline of the carton.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to a clamshell-stylecontainer or carton and a hinged connection for a clamshell-stylecarton. The carton may include a base portion and a cover portionconnected together by the hinged connection. The base portion mayinclude a bottom wall, a base perimeter sidewall, and a base perimeterrim and a base perimeter flange extending from the base perimetersidewall. The cover portion may similarly include a cover wall, a coverperimeter sidewall, and a cover perimeter rim and a cover perimeterflange extending from the cover perimeter sidewall. Both the baseportion and the cover portion may include a rear perimeter sidewallsection and corresponding perimeter rim and perimeter flange where thehinged connection is provided.

The hinged connection may be provided along the base perimeter rim andflange and the cover perimeter rim and perimeter flange located alongthe base and cover rear sidewall sections. The base perimeter flange andthe cover perimeter flange may be connected together to form a hingeaxis of the hinged connection. The hinged connection may also beconfigured as a living hinge to allow the cover portion to selectivelyrotate relative to the base portion about a hinge axis so that thecarton and the cover panel may transition between an open configurationand a closed configuration.

The hinged connection may include one or more hinge tabs provided alongboth the base perimeter flange and the cover perimeter flange.Corresponding hinge tabs along each of the base and cover perimeterflanges may connect together at the hinge axis and form openings betweenthe base perimeter flange and the cover perimeter flange.

The hinged connection may include a series of interlocking structuralelements formed into the base portion and the cover portion along thebase perimeter flange and cover perimeter flange. The structuralelements may be configured as corresponding projecting elements andrecessed elements that join together when the cover portion is rotatedrelative to the base portion. The structural elements may assist inallowing the cover portion to appropriately fit onto and remain in closeengagement with the base portion. The structural elements may alsofunction as stiffening elements to strengthen the rigidity of the hingedconnection and limit deformation and fracture along the hingedconnection.

The structural elements may include one or more first structuralelements that are configured as channels, recesses, grooves,depressions, indentions or the like formed into the cover perimeterflange. The structural elements may further include one or more secondstructural elements that are configured as outward protrusions,projections, ridges or the like extending outward from the baseperimeter rim toward the base perimeter flange. The second structuralelements may be positionally aligned with the first structural elementsso that each of the second structural elements are at least partiallyreceived within one of the first structural elements when the coverportion is rotated into the closed position.

The structural elements may additionally include one or more thirdstructural elements that are configured as outward protrusions,projections, ridges or the like extending outward from the coverperimeter flange near the cover perimeter rim, and one or more fourthstructural elements that are configured as channels, recesses, grooves,depressions, indentions or the like formed into the base perimeter rimnear the base perimeter flange. Similar to the first and secondstructural elements, the third and fourth structural elements may bepositionally aligned and configured so that each of the third structuralelements are at least partially received within one of the fourthstructural elements when the cover portion is rotated into the closedposition.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments ofthe accompanying drawing figures

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification andare to be read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numeralsare used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hinged connection for a container inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the hinged connection for a container ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a partial top perspective view of the hinged connection for acontainer of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevation view of a hinged connection for acontainer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,illustrating the container in an open configuration;

FIG. 9 is a schematic side elevation view of the hinged connection for acontainer of FIG. 8, illustrating the container in a closedconfiguration; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the hinged connection for acontainer of FIG. 8 in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawingfigures, in which like reference numerals refer to like partsthroughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristicsof the present invention, proportional relationships of the elementshave not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures.

The following detailed description of the invention references specificembodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments areintended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Otherembodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. It will be appreciated thatsome or all of the various features and structures described and shownwith respect to each of the specific embodiments referenced herein maybe combined to form additional or alternative embodiments having suchcombinations and that such combinations are within the scope of thepresent invention.

Referring to the figures, the present invention is directed to aclamshell-style container or carton 10 and a hinged connection 100 for acarton 10. As described in greater detail herein, hinged connection 100may be configured as an integral hinge within a carton 10 and mayinclude one or more interlocking structural elements defined into carton10 to facilitate the bending of carton 10 about hinged connection 100.Carton 10 may be constructed from a molded fiber or pulp material, whichmay comprise fibers derived from at least or more of wood, sugarcane,bagasse, wheat, other plants, recycled paper or paperboard, or othersuitable cellulosic or non-cellulosic materials. However, it will alsobe recognized that the carton 10 may suitably be constructed from othermaterials, including without limitation, paperboard, plastic orpolymer-based materials, polystyrene, and the like. Carton 10 mayfurther be designed and configured for holding various types of fooditems for use in the food service industry; however, carton 10 maysuitably be used and configured for holding any number of differenttypes of items or contents.

Turning to FIGS. 1-4, carton 10 may include a base portion 12 and acover portion 14 connected together by hinged connection 100. Baseportion 12 may include a bottom wall 16 and a perimeter sidewall 18extending from the perimeter of bottom wall 16. Perimeter sidewall 18may include a rear sidewall section 20 adjacent hinged connection 100 asbest shown in FIG. 1. Base portion 12 may further include a baseperimeter rim 22 formed around the upper region of perimeter sidewall 18and a base perimeter flange 24 extending from base perimeter rim 22 andproviding an outer terminal edge around the perimeter of base portion12.

Similarly, cover portion 14 may include a top wall 26 and a perimetersidewall 28 extending from the perimeter of top wall 26. Perimetersidewall 28 of cover portion 14 may include a rear sidewall section 30adjacent hinged connection 100 and opposite rear sidewall section 20 ofbase portion 12 as best shown in FIG. 1. Cover portion 14 may furtherinclude a cover perimeter rim 32 formed around the upper region ofperimeter sidewall 28 and a cover perimeter flange 34 extending fromcover perimeter rim 32 and forming an outer terminal edge around theperimeter of cover portion 14.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, according to certain embodiments of thepresent invention, carton 10 may optionally include one or more internaldividing walls or partitions provided within base portion 12 thatseparates the interior space of base portion 12 into one or morecompartments. Additionally, according to certain embodiments, one orboth of base portion 12 and cover portion 14 may include ribs,stiffening elements, tabs or locking components, and/or other structuralelements formed into carton 10, such as those commonly utilized in knownclamshell-style carton and container designs. It is recognized that suchstructural elements may not necessarily comprise novel features ofcarton 10 and may be included or omitted depending on the particularembodiment of carton 10.

Turning to FIGS. 5-10, hinged connection 100 may be incorporated intocarton 10 along the upper ends of base rear sidewall section 20 andcover rear sidewall section 30 and connect base portion 12 and coverportion 14 together. In particular, as best shown in FIG. 5, hingedconnection 100 may be incorporated into carton 10 along base perimeterrim 22 and flange 24 and cover perimeter rim 32 and flange 34 formedalong rear sidewall sections 20 and 30 of base portion 12 and coverportion 14, respectively. Hinged connection 100 may be configured as a“living” hinge structure that connects base portion 12 and cover portion14 together. Hinged connection 100 may further allow cover portion 14 toselectively rotate relative to base portion 12 along rear sidewallsections 20 and 30 so that carton 10 may be transitioned between an openconfiguration (where cover portion 14 is rotated away from base portion12) and a closed configuration (where cover portion 14 is positionedover or on top of base portion 12). According to certain embodiments,the resiliency of hinged connection 100 may be configured to maintaincarton 10 in the open configuration unless cover portion 14 is closedand latched to base portion 12.

As shown schematically in FIGS. 8-10 (and illustrated in FIG. 5), hingedconnection 100 may be configured within the rim and flange portions 22,24 and 32, 34, respectively, of base portion 12 and cover portion 14. Inparticular, hinged connection 100 may include the regions of baseperimeter rim 22 and flange 24 and cover perimeter rim 32 and flange 34positioned adjacent to base rear sidewall section 20 and cover rearsidewall section 30.

As best shown in FIGS. 5-7, adjacent rear sidewall section 20, baseperimeter rim 22 may be configured as a raised rim formed along theupper edge of rear sidewall section 20 and base perimeter flange 24 mayextend generally horizontally outward from the lower, outer end ofperimeter rim 22. As further shown in FIGS. 5-7, adjacent cover rearsidewall section 30, cover perimeter rim 32 may be configured as araised rim formed along the upper edge of sidewall 28 and coverperimeter flange 34 may extend generally away from the lower outer endof perimeter rim 32. As further shown in FIGS. 8-10, cover perimeterflange 34 may include a downwardly extending depressed region 36extending from perimeter rim 32 and an outer, generallyhorizontally-extending end region 38 extending from depressed region 36.As best shown in FIG. 9, the depressed region 36 can be configured togenerally conform to the shape and curvature of base perimeter rim 22 toallow cover perimeter flange 34 to engage base perimeter rim 22 whencarton 10 is placed in the closed configuration. As further shown inFIG. 9, when carton 10 is placed in the closed configuration, baseperimeter rim 22 may be at least partially received within depressedregion 36 of cover perimeter flange 34.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the outer edges of base perimeter flange 24 andcover perimeter flange 34 may be connected together to form a hinge lineor hinge axis 102 of hinged connection 100. Hinge line 102 may beconfigured as a line of weakness extending longitudinally along thelength of hinged connection 100 and provide the axis of rotation betweencover portion 14 and base portion 12.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, hinged connection 100 may include one or morehinge projections or tabs 104 and 106 provided along base perimeterflange 24 and cover perimeter flange 34, respectively. As shown in FIGS.5-7, hinge tabs 104 may be connected to and/or extend outward from theedge of base perimeter flange 24, and hinge tabs 106 may be connected toand/or extend outward from the edge of cover perimeter flange 34. Hingetabs 104 and 106 may also be configured as the outermost extendedportions of base perimeter flange 24 and cover perimeter flange 34,respectively, and not necessarily be a separate, distinguishablecomponent therefrom in certain embodiments of the invention. As shown inFIGS. 5-7, each hinge tab 104 of base portion 12 may be connected to acorresponding hinge tab 106 of cover portion 14 along the defined hingeline or axis 102. Collectively, hinge tabs 104 and 106 may form hingeline or axis 102 as a weakened line or folding line between baseperimeter flange 24 and cover perimeter flange 34 adjacent rear sidewallsections 20 and 30. Hinge axis 102 may provide the axis of rotationabout which cover portion 14 rotates relative to base portion 12 whencarton 10 is transitioned between the open and closed configurations.

As best shown in FIG. 6, hinge tabs 104 and 106 may be spaced apartalong the length of perimeter flanges 24 and 34 and define openings orgaps 108 along a length of the hinge axis 102 of hinged connection 100and between adjacent hinge tabs 104/106. According to an alternativeembodiment (not shown), each of base perimeter flange 24 and coverperimeter flange 34 may include a continuous hinge tab 104 and 106,respectively, that extends along all or a portion of the hinge axis 102of hinged connection 100 without any openings or gaps 108. Additionally,carton 10 and hinged connection 100 may be configured without any hingetabs 104 and 106, and the outer edges or base perimeter flange 24 andcover perimeter flange 34 are directly connected together to form hingeaxis 102.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, hinged connection 100 may include a series ofinterlocking structural elements 110-116 that are formed into baseportion 12 and cover portion 14 and are configured to conform and fittogether when carton 10 is placed into the closed configuration andcover portion 14 is rotated about hinged connection 100 and onto baseportion 12. The one or more structural elements 110-116 may beconfigured as corresponding projecting elements and recessed elementsthat join together when cover portion 14 is rotated onto base portion 12via hinged connection 100 and assist in allowing cover portion 14 toappropriately fit onto and remain in close engagement with base portion12. Structural elements 110-116 may also operate as stiffening elementsfor hinged connection 100 in order to increase the strength, resiliency,and/or rigidity of hinged connection 100 and reduce the potential fordeformation and fracture of hinged connection 100 during use with carton10.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, hinged connection 100 may include one or morefirst structural elements 110 provided on cover perimeter flange 34. Asbest shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each first structural element 110 may beconfigured as a channel, recess, groove, depression, indention or thelike formed into cover perimeter flange 34 along depressed region 36 andouter end region 38. As further shown, each first structural element 110may extend into flange 34 so that the directly adjacent portions offlange 34 on each end of first structural element 110 extend upwardand/or outward beyond first structural element 110 and first structuralelement 110 is depressed, recessed, or indented between such adjacentportions of flange 34. As best shown in FIG. 6, hinged connection 100may include a plurality of first structural elements 110 provided alongthe length of hinged connection 100 in a spaced arrangement. As furthershown in FIG. 6, in certain embodiments, each first structural element110 may be positionally aligned with an opening 108 along hinge axis 102so that each first structural element 110 is located between adjacenthinge tabs 106 along the length of cover perimeter flange 34.

As further shown in FIGS. 5-7, hinged connection 100 may include one ormore second structural elements 112 provided on base perimeter rim 22and base perimeter flange 24. Second structural elements 112 may also beconfigured to generally correspond to first structural elements 110. Asbest shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each second structural element 112 may beconfigured as an outward protrusion, projection, ridge or the like thatextends outward from the outer portion of base perimeter rim 22. Asfurther shown, each second structural element 112 may be formed in baseperimeter rim 22 so that each second structural element extends upwardand/or outward and beyond the directly adjacent portions of rim 22 oneach end of second structural element 112. As best shown in FIG. 6,hinged connection 100 may include a plurality of second structuralelements 112 provided along the length of hinged connection 100 in aspaced arrangement.

As best shown in FIG. 6, second structural elements 112 may be generallyaligned with the arrangement and positioning of first structuralelements 110. As shown, each second structural element 112 may generallyconform to a corresponding first structural element 110 that ispositioned on the opposite side of hinge axis 102 so that theinward-oriented first structural element 110 may receive theoutward-oriented second structural element 112 when cover portion 14 isrotated about hinge axis 102 into an overlaid arrangement with baseportion 14 and carton 10 is placed into the closed configuration. Asalso shown in FIG. 6, in certain embodiments, each second structuralelement 112 may be positionally aligned with a corresponding firststructural element 110 as well as an opening 108 along hinge axis 102 sothat each second structural element 112 is located between adjacenthinge tabs 104 along the length of base perimeter flange 24.

As further shown in FIGS. 5-7, hinged connection 100 may include one ormore third structural elements 114 provided on cover perimeter flange 34and adjacent cover perimeter rim 32. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7,each third structural element 114 may be configured as a raisedprojection, protrusion, ridge or the like extending upward from thedepressed region 36 of cover perimeter flange 34 adjacent coverperimeter rim 32. As further shown, each third structural element 114may be formed onto cover perimeter rim 32 and flange 34 so that thethird structural element 114 extends outward and/or upward from rim 32and flange 34 and beyond the directly adjacent portions of rim 32 andflange 34 on each end of third structural element 114. As best shown inFIG. 6, hinged connection 100 may include a plurality of thirdstructural elements 114 provided along the length of hinged connection100 in a spaced arrangement. According to certain embodiments, thirdstructural elements 114 may be positioned along the length of hingedconnection 100 to generally align with and correspond to firststructural elements 110. As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each thirdstructural element 114 may be provided adjacent a corresponding firststructural element 110 so that a respective third structural element 114is positioned on the opposite end of cover perimeter flange 34 relativeto a respective first structural element 110.

As further shown in FIGS. 5-7, hinged connection 100 may include one ormore fourth structural elements 116 provided on base perimeter rim 22.As shown, fourth structural elements 116 may be formed into baseperimeter rim 22 and be configured as indentions, channels, grooves,depressions, recesses or the like defined into base perimeter rim 22. Asfurther shown, each fourth structural element 116 may extend into rim 22so that the directly adjacent portions of rim 22 on each end of fourthstructural element 116 extend upward and/or outward beyond fourthstructural element 116 and fourth structural element 116 is depressed,recessed, or indented between such adjacent portions of rim 22. As bestshown in FIGS. 6 and 7, hinged connection 100 may include a plurality offourth structural elements 116 provided along the length of hingedconnection 100 in a spaced arrangement. As also shown in FIG. 6, eachfourth structural element 116 may be provided immediately adjacent to asecond structural element 112.

As best shown in FIG. 6, fourth structural elements 116 may be generallyaligned with the arrangement and positioning of third structuralelements 114 so that a four structural element 116 positionallycorresponds to a respective third structural element 114 relative to thehinge axis 102. As shown, each fourth structural element 116 maygenerally conform to a corresponding third structural element 114 thatis positioned on the opposite side of hinge axis 102 so that when theinward-oriented fourth structural element 116 may receive theoutward-oriented third structural element 114 when cover portion 14 isrotated about hinge axis 102 into an overlaid arrangement with baseportion 14.

Structural elements 110-116 may be configured to collectively form aseries of interlocking components along the length of hinged connection100. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each second structural element 112may be shaped and configured to generally conform to the shape of acorresponding first structural element 110 so that the second structuralelement 112 may be received within the first structural element 110 whencarton 10 is placed into a closed configuration. Additionally,corresponding first and second structural elements 110 and 112,respectively, may be positionally aligned with respect to one anotherrelative to hinge axis 102 and located at approximately equal distancesfrom hinge axis 102 so that second structural element 112 may be atleast partially received into first structural element 112 when carton10 is placed into the closed configuration. Each third structuralelement 114 may be shaped and configured to generally conform to theshape of a corresponding fourth structural element 116 so that the thirdstructural element may be received within the fourth structural element116 when carton 10 is placed into the closed configuration. Similarly,corresponding third and fourth structural elements 114 and 116,respectively, may be positionally aligned with one another relative tohinge axis 102 and approximately equidistant from hinge axis 102 so thatthird structural element 114 may be at least partially received withinfourth structural element 116 when carton 10 is placed in the closedconfiguration.

Collectively, structural elements 110-116 may facilitate proper rotationof cover portion 14 relative to base portion 12 and allow carton 10 toproperly transition between the open configuration and the closedconfiguration. Structural elements 110-116 may be positioned along thelength of hinged connection 100 and provide structural rigidity to baseperimeter rim 22 and flange 24 and cover perimeter rim 32 and flange 34to urge rotation of cover portion 14 about hinge axis 102 and limitdeformation and deflection of base perimeter flange 24 and coverperimeter flange 34 when carton 10 transitions between the openconfiguration and closed configuration. Further, structural elements110-116 may be selectively arranged along the length of hingedconnection 100 to provide increased structural rigidity of carton 10while still enabling carton 10 to be constructed from a molded fiber orpulp material. As a result, the configuration of hinged connection 100with first and second structural elements 110 and 112, and optionallythird and fourth structural elements 114 and 116, positioned along thelength of hinge axis 102 increases the strength and integrity of thehinged connection 100 to reduce or limit undesired bending or bucklingof the hinged connection 100 when carton 10 is transitioned between theopen and closed configurations. Further, the configuration of hingedconnection 100 can reduce or limit weak points or fracture points withinhinged connection 100 that can affect the desired closing of carton 10.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forthtogether with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherentto the structure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference toother features and sub combinations. Since many possible embodiments ofthe invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, itis also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown inthe accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and notlimiting.

The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings arepresented by way of example only and are not intended to limit theconcepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has beenshown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As isevident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the presentinvention are not limited by the particular details of the examplesillustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that othermodifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur tothose skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similarterms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of“optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes,modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the presentconstruction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the artafter considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. Allsuch changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applicationswhich do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention aredeemed to be covered by the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container comprising: a base portion comprisinga bottom wall, a base rear perimeter sidewall extending from the bottomwall, a base perimeter rim located along an end of the base rearperimeter sidewall, and a base perimeter flange extending from the baseperimeter rim; a cover portion comprising a top wall, a cover rearperimeter sidewall extending from the top wall, a cover perimeter rimlocated along an end of the cover rear perimeter sidewall, and a coverperimeter flange extending from the cover perimeter rim; and a hingedconnection located between the base perimeter flange and the coverperimeter flange and configured to enable the cover portion to rotaterelative to the base portion about a hinge axis extending through thehinged connection, the hinged connection comprising: a first structuralelement located on the cover perimeter flange, the first structuralelement comprising an indention, depression, channel, or recess definedinto the cover perimeter flange; and a second structural element locatedon the base perimeter flange, the second structural element comprising aprojection, protrusion, or ridge extending outward from the baseperimeter flange; wherein the second structural element is configured tobe at least partially received within the first structural element whenthe cover portion is rotated about the hinge axis into a closedconfiguration relative to the base portion.
 2. The container of claim 1,wherein the hinged connection further comprises: a plurality of basehinge tabs extending outward from the base perimeter flange and spacedapart along a length of the base perimeter flange; and a plurality ofcover hinge tabs extending outward from the cover perimeter flange andspaced apart along a length of the cover perimeter flange; wherein theplurality of base hinge tabs are connected to the plurality of coverhinge tabs along the hinge axis.
 3. The container of claim 2, whereinthe hinged connection further comprises a plurality of openings definedalong a length of the hinged connection and positioned between adjacentbase hinge tabs and between adjacent cover hinge tabs.
 4. The containerof claim 1, wherein the hinged connection comprises a plurality of firststructural elements spaced apart along a length of the cover perimeterflange and a plurality of second structural elements spaced apart alonga length of the base perimeter flange.
 5. The container of claim 4,wherein each of the plurality of second structural elements positionallycorresponds to one of the plurality of first structural elements.
 6. Thecontainer of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of second structuralelements is at least partially received within one of the plurality offirst structural elements.
 7. The container of claim 1, wherein thehinged connection of the container further comprises: a third structuralelement located along the cover perimeter rim and adjacent the firststructural element, the third structural element comprising aprojection, protrusion, or ridge extending outward from the coverperimeter rim; and a fourth structural element located along the baseperimeter rim and adjacent the second structural element, the fourthstructural element comprising an indention, depression, channel, orrecess defined into the base perimeter rim; wherein the third structuralelement is configured to be at least partially received within thefourth structural element when the cover portion is rotated about thehinge axis into the closed configuration relative to the base portion.8. The container of claim 7, wherein the hinged connection comprises aplurality of third structural elements spaced apart along a length ofthe cover perimeter flange and a plurality of fourth structural elementsspaced apart along a length of the base perimeter flange.
 9. Thecontainer of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of third structuralelements positionally corresponds to one of the plurality of fourthstructural elements.
 10. The container of claim 9, wherein each of theplurality of third structural elements is at least partially receivedwithin one of the plurality of fourth structural elements.
 11. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the container is formed from a moldedfiber or pulp material.
 12. The container of claim 1, wherein the coverperimeter flange comprises a depressed region extending downwardlyrelative to the cover perimeter rim, and a generallyhorizontally-extending end region extending outwardly from the depressedregion.
 13. The container of claim 12, wherein the depressed region ofthe cover perimeter flange generally conforms to the shape and curvatureof the base perimeter rim and the base perimeter rim is at leastpartially received within the depressed region when the cover portion isrotated about the hinge axis into a closed configuration relative to thebase portion.
 14. A clamshell-style carton comprising: a base portionhaving a base perimeter rim and a base perimeter flange extending fromthe base perimeter rim; a cover portion having a cover perimeter rim anda cover perimeter flange extending from the cover perimeter rim; ahinged connection located between the base perimeter flange and thecover perimeter flange, the hinged connection comprising: a base hingetab extending outward from the base perimeter flange; a cover hinge tabextending outward from the cover perimeter flange, wherein the coverhinge tab is connected to the base hinge tab forming a hinge axisbetween the base portion and cover portion; a first structural elementlocated on the cover perimeter flange, the first structural elementcomprising an indention, depression, channel, or recess defined into thecover perimeter flange; and a second structural element located on thebase perimeter flange, the second structural element comprising aprojection, protrusion, or ridge extending outward from the baseperimeter flange; wherein the cover portion is configured to rotateabout the hinge axis into a closed position relative to the baseportion; wherein when the cover portion is rotated into the closedposition, the second structural element is at least partially receivedwithin the first structural element.
 15. The carton of claim 14, whereinthe hinged connection comprises a plurality of the base hinge tabsspaced apart along the base perimeter flange and a plurality of thecover hinge tabs spaced apart along the cover perimeter flange, whereineach base hinge tab is connected to a corresponding cover hinge tabdefining a plurality of openings between the base perimeter flange andcover perimeter flange.
 16. The carton of claim 15, wherein the firststructural element and the second structural element are positionallyaligned with one of the plurality of openings between the base perimeterflange and cover perimeter flange.
 17. The carton of claim 14, whereinthe hinged connection further comprises: a third structural elementlocated along the cover perimeter rim and adjacent the first structuralelement, the third structural element comprising a projection,protrusion, or ridge extending outward from the cover perimeter rim; anda fourth structural element located along the base perimeter rim andadjacent the second structural element, the fourth structural elementcomprising an indention, depression, channel, or recess defined into thebase perimeter rim; wherein the third structural element is configuredto be at least partially received within the fourth structural elementwhen the cover portion is rotated about the hinge axis into the closedposition relative to the base portion.
 18. A clamshell-style cartoncomprising: a base portion having a base rear sidewall portion and abase perimeter rim and a base perimeter flange provided along an outerend of the base rear sidewall portion; a cover portion having a coverrear sidewall portion and a cover perimeter rim and a cover perimeterflange provided along an outer end of the cover rear sidewall portion,wherein the cover perimeter flange and the base perimeter flange areconnected together; a hinge line provided between the base perimeterflange and the cover perimeter flange, wherein the hinge line provides abending axis about which the cover portion rotates relative to the baseportion; a plurality of base hinge tabs extending outward from the baseperimeter flange; a plurality of cover hinge tabs extending outward fromthe cover perimeter flange, wherein each of the plurality of cover hingetabs is connected to a corresponding base hinge tab of the plurality ofbased hinge tabs along the hinge line; a plurality of first structuralelements provided along a length of the cover perimeter flange, whereineach first structural element comprises a recessed channel defined intothe cover perimeter flange; a plurality of second structural elementsprovided along a length of the base perimeter flange, wherein eachsecond structural element comprises a raised ridge extending away fromthe base perimeter flange; a plurality of third structural elementsprovided along a length of the cover perimeter rim, wherein each thirdstructural element comprises a raised ridge extending away from thecover perimeter rim; and a plurality of fourth structural elementsprovided along a length of the base perimeter rim, wherein each fourthstructural element comprises a recessed channel defined into the baseperimeter rim; wherein the plurality of second structural elements areconfigured to be at least partially received in the plurality of firststructural elements and the plurality of third structural elements areconfigured to be at least partially received in the plurality of fourthstructural elements when the cover portion of the carton is rotatedabout the hinge line to overlay the base portion of the carton.
 19. Thecarton of claim 18, wherein the plurality of first structural elementsare spaced apart along the length of the cover perimeter flange, whereinthe plurality of second structural elements are spaced apart along thelength of the base perimeter flange, wherein the plurality of thirdstructural elements are spaced apart along the length of the coverperimeter rim, and wherein the plurality of fourth structural elementsare spaced apart along the length of the base perimeter rim.
 20. Thecarton of claim 19, wherein the plurality of third structural elementsare aligned with the plurality of first structural elements, and whereinthe plurality of second structural elements are aligned with theplurality of fourth structural elements.